Harvard’s poverty

To the Editor:

According to the Northwest Herald, the poverty level in Harvard is 28 percent (“Poverty creeps into county,” Feb. 17).

I ask myself how that can be. Simple, cold, hard facts show several reasons why. First, we do not have any major employers/businesses in Harvard. Walmart, but they pay minimum wage and the work week consists of 32 hours – hardly enough to make a living.

Marengo has 13 percent, but it has three major employers that pay a lot more than Walmart.

Why is it that Harvard cannot attract big business here? I would say it’s because of the way Harvard is run.

Second, the housing market stinks – lowest in the state. Ask some Realtors, and they will tell you the same.

You might say, move out of Harvard. Well, I’m trapped. I am paying taxes on a house appraised at $120,000. However, right now my house would not sell for any more than $40,000.

Within six square blocks of my house, there are more than 10 vacant houses. Then I have to ask myself how many people who live in Harvard collect food stamps, live off state aid, or are illegal immigrants who are not paying taxes. I will bet more than I want to know.

So the rest of us are paying the taxes to keep the city running, with no major businesses to help. So, city of Harvard, what are you going to do to rectify this situation? Probably nothing, as usual.